We are greeted at the Kinshasa airport by a gentle rain - the leftovers of a harder rain earlier in the evening - and by leaders of the Kinshasa District  (region) of Disciples. It's after dark, and we've been travelling more than 24 hours. Rick Spleth likens the rain to baptismal waters, signaling new life in Christ. An appropriate beginning to a visit that is about nurturing a new partnership in Christ.

We gather in a dimly-lit room at the airport and introduce ourselves to each other, while the church's protocol officer finds our checked baggage and does final paperwork with immigration and customs related to our arrival.

As we prepare to drive into town, Rev. Eale, the Principle Supervising Pastor (PSP - like our regional minister), asks the delegation to stand in a circle while they surround us in a larger circle and pray. They give thanks for our safe arrival and ask divine protection as we stay in Kinshasa and then travel up river to visit Mbandaka. They express gratitude for the missionaries who came in the first place to bring the Gospel story to Congo and they give thanks for the desire among the descendants of those missionaries to keep the relationship alive and vital today.

Enveloped in prayer, surrounded physically by the circle of our colleagues, there is a sense that we are safely in the hands of brother and sister Disciples who have every intention of making this a memorable visit.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008 »

Share Your Comments